Monday, July 1, 2024

Sidney B. Sperry on Moroni 7:45-47 and 1 Cor 13:4-6

  

Mormon's definition of charity is better than the "love" usually given by translators. Critics will say that Mormon's words were simply hi-jacked by Joseph Smith from Paul's words in the New Testament. It is true that the text in verse 45 is almost word for word the same as its parallel in 1 Corinthians. Now I am going to speak as a higher critic. I do not believe that Paul was the original author of the words in question. I think that the original author was the Savior. Paul had access to them and used our Lord's words to suit himself when writing to the Corinthians. In his time he would not be accused of plagiarism. When our Lord came to this contingent as a resurrected, glorified person, He gave the same sermon on faith, hope, and charity. Mormon had access to that sermon just as Paul did and used it as he pleased. He was aware that Paul had used the sermon on the other continent at an earlier time. We cannot accuse the Prophet Joseph Smith of being stupid, whatever else we may accuse of him. He told the truth and makes an interesting contribution to our knowledge of Paul's famous sermon. (Sidney B. Sperry, "The Book of Mormon and Textual Criticism," Book of Mormon Institute, December 5, 1959, ed. Dee F. Green [Provo, Utah: Book of Mormon Institute, 1964], 7-8)